| Copyright (c) 2007 Jay Smith | | | | virtual projects take visitors back to the third century |
| Opened in spring 2006, The Tholos is a | | | | BC. Athens was at the peak of its cultural and |
| groundbreaking new museum that, through the | | | | financial prosperity at that time when philosophical |
| application of state-of-the-art technology, allows the | | | | ideas where flourishing and humanitarian values such |
| visitor to immerse themselves in ancient Greek | | | | as justice, equality and freedom of speech were first |
| history like never before. With the aim of both | | | | being conceived. The spectator has many ways of |
| educating and entertaining The Tholos is billed as a | | | | experiencing the virtual world. He is not only able to |
| bold new type of museum, offering a unique, | | | | choose the next step but also to take part in fun |
| interactive experience that will take spectators to | | | | activities designed for the younger audiences. Such |
| the heart of ancient Athens. Funded by the EU and | | | | games include giving a speech in front of fellow |
| sponsored by the National Bank of Greece the | | | | citizens of Athens and taking part in the election |
| Tholos is seen as an attraction that will boost tourism | | | | process or even being elected themselves! Having |
| and the local economy at the same time as | | | | fun is as important as the educational attributes of |
| advancing a better knowledge of ancient Greece. | | | | these productions. The viewer can learn of how the |
| The "Tholos" is the Foundation of the Hellenic World's | | | | principles of law and governance have been |
| (FHW) new dome-shaped Virtual Reality "Theatre" | | | | transformed from the ancient times to the present |
| based in the cultural centre of "Hellenic World" on | | | | and how they are applied in modern Athens and |
| Pireos street. It is a building of progressive | | | | other parts of the world. |
| architectural design and unique technological | | | | The "Tholos" has a capacity of 130 people and its |
| infrastructure, which establishes a new era in the use | | | | architectural characteristics, in particular the |
| of virtual multimedia for teaching purposes, whilst at | | | | semi-spherical projection surface, are reminiscent of a |
| the same time it preserves and promotes historical | | | | planetarium. However, unlike a planetarium, the show |
| knowledge. | | | | is highly interactive. A plethora of alternative |
| The digital shows hosted in the interactive | | | | scenarios is offered, all based on the same virtual |
| programme have as a point of reference the "Agora" | | | | model, which can be controlled in real-time by visitors |
| of ancient Athens (i.e. the ancient Greek market in | | | | who can choose the next step of the navigation. In |
| Athens) and offer a novel approach in the | | | | this way the whole experience becomes uniquely |
| educational process. With the aim of producing a | | | | direct, flexible and dynamic, thus amplifying the |
| scientifically valid representation of the Agora, the | | | | viewers feeling of immersion into the virtual world. |
| foundation has created a trilogy; "An interactive walk | | | | The financial cost of such productions is indeed high. |
| in the ancient Agora of Athens", "An act in the | | | | There has been major funding assistance from both |
| ancient Agora" and "Athens in the ancient Agora". | | | | the EU an the National Bank of Greece. |
| With production costs of 2 to 3 million each, the | | | | |